Sunday, April 19, 2009

April's Green Tip Of The Month, Become A "Cup Activist"

I found this great tip on the DailyGreen.com and wanted to pass it on.

Cut down on waste, as well as toxic chemicals in the environment, by using a reusable mug at home, in the office and on the go, instead of opting for single-use containers for coffee, tea and other beverages. Become a "Mug Activist."




If you buy your daily cup of coffee in a disposable container, you are generating about 22.75 pounds of waste per year. Across the country, 25 billion polystyrene (commonly known as Styrofoam) cups are thrown away every year, according to the EPA. That's troubling, because polystyrene takes hundreds of years to break down, and is made of nonrenewable petroleum. Scientists have also discovered carcinogenic compounds leaching out of polystyrene, possibly even into your hot drink!

Cups made of paper products are easier on the environment, but they are made of trees and can result in destructive deforestation. Even recycled paper cups require considerable energy to produce and distribute.

It's wise to use ceramic or glass containers for your hot beverages, because plastics can leach out small amounts of potentially toxic chemicals over time. You also can use this opportunity to market yourself while helping to reduce waste.

Give your customers a personalized travel mugs or ceramic or glass containers as gifts along with a gift certificate to Starbucks or other local coffee shop. Many coffee shops and university food services offer discounts for those who bring in their own reusable containers. Starbucks, for example, offers a 10-cent discount to those with their own mugs, and this encouraged 13.5 million customers to help keep 586,800 pounds of paper from landfills in 2003.

You can also use personalized mugs, ceramic or glass containers for the office. Stop buying those Styrofoam or paper cups to serve your customers coffee or hot tea. I am sure your customers will appreciate drinking from a nice ceramic coffee cup rather than a small Styrofoam or paper cup. You will also save money, help to reduce waste, and help protect our environment.

Contact Kari A. Battaglia, licensed Realtor® in Venice Florida at 941-270-1851 to list your property for sale or to help you in your search for property in the Venice FL area, which include Venice Florida, Englewood Florida, Nokomis Florida, Laurel Florida, and Osprey Florida. We currently have available properties in the Dunlap Tennessee area and have Tennessee land for sale.

Contact me by email at mailto:Kari.Battaglia@comcast.net. Need information fast, call me direct at 941-270-1851. I am currently accepting referrals.

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Kari A. Battaglia, GRI - Realtor®, Broker Associate - Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate - 331 W Venice Ave., Venice, FL 34285 - 941-270-1851 direct - 941-484-9715 - office 800-969-1990 toll free - Kari@KariBattaglia.com